Nigeria Confirms It Furnished Intelligence for Recent Military Strikes as US Official Warns of Additional Attacks
The Nigerian foreign ministry has stated that it provided crucial intelligence in the US airstrikes carried out on December 25, according to the country's foreign minister on Friday.
Ex-President Donald Trump previously declared the strikes targeting ISIS fighters in north-west Nigeria after a period of decrying the group for targeting Christian communities.
Detailed Discussions Came Before the Operation
Nigeria's top diplomat, Yusuf Tuggar, stated that he had engaged in "extensive" discussions with America's top diplomat Marco Rubio immediately before and after the attack.
He also noted that Nigeria's leader, Bola Tinubu, had given the "go-ahead" for the airstrikes. Tuggar left the door open for further strikes, describing them as an "ongoing process" that would potentially include international partners.
"This operation had no connection to a specific faith," Tuggar insisted in an interview with the BBC. "It is to do with targeting militants who have been killing Nigerians."
US Warns of More Actions in Nigeria
Shortly following the initial strikes, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cautioned of more strikes against ISIS locations in the region.
Hegseth described the strikes as part of a mission to stop the targeting of Christian individuals, a stance reiterated by the former president. In a public statement, Hegseth stated, "He was clear... the killing of Christian civilians in Nigeria must cease. More to come..."
Political Reaction to the Military Action
The Christmas Day strikes were hailed by certain supporters of the ex-leader, who had been calling for a forceful response to the violence against Christians.
"I can’t think of a more fitting manner to observe the holiday than by avenging the death of Christians," posted one well-known activist on a digital platform.
Main Takeaways from the Announcement
- Cooperation: Nigeria supplied crucial information for the US-led airstrikes.
- High-Level Approval: President Bola Tinubu personally authorized the military action.
- Continuous Effort: The operation is viewed as an "ongoing process" with potential for more strikes.
- Non-Religious Aim: Nigerian officials strongly insist the strikes are focused on counter-terrorism, not religion.
- US Commitment: A top American defense leader has signaled further strikes are likely.
The situation highlights the complex security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in addressing terrorist threats in the Sahel area.
